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Hempfest 2003 Police Staffing Plan Revised 6 -14 -03 <br /> Introduction: City of Eugene Parks and Open Spaces guidelines for park events specifies <br /> certain requirements for large activities held in city parks. For the Eugene Police <br /> Department they include; determining security and traffic control needs and notifying <br /> event organizers of required staffing needs. Pursuant to those guidelines event organizers <br /> will be charged for all services provided by City of Eugene police officers. <br /> The success of the first Eugene Hempfest will determine whether or not this event will likely <br /> occur in the future. Public safety and traffic issues influence the perception of individuals <br /> attending and the community around similar future events. <br /> The expectation of the Eugene Police Department is that event organizers will host a lawful <br /> event, discouraging illegal behavior and cooperating with police to maintain the peace and <br /> enforce applicable laws, including drug and alcohol laws. <br /> The Hempfest organizers anticipate an estimated crowd of 2,500 people. The event opens at <br /> 9:OOAM and goes until 10:OOPM. The Hempfest will occur in a enclosed area bordered by <br /> portable fencing and vendor booths. Based upon similar events of this size held in city parks, <br /> Eugene Police will post a total of 4 officers, divided into two person roving foot patrols to patrol <br /> the inside of the enclosed event perimeter. The first team of two officers would be in place from <br /> 8:30AM until 11:30AM to provide immediate visible presence to those arriving at the festival. <br /> Two additional officers will be added at 11:30AM. The 4 officers would be present throughout <br /> the hours of operation of the event and remain for one hour after closing to be available to assist <br /> Parks staff and/or event organizers with clearing the crowd from the enclosed area at the <br /> conclusion of the event. Officers assigned to this event will manage all aspects of police services <br /> that occur in the venue, including enforcement applicable laws. One recognized aspect of <br /> Hempfest events held elsewhere is the illegal use of marijuana. Event organizers and patrons <br /> need to be aware that police officers assigned to this event will take appropriate <br /> enforcement actions for observed violations of drug laws including possession, sales and <br /> use of marijuana. <br /> It is difficult to estimate the level of traffic congestion likely to occur with this event. From past <br /> experience we know a moderate flow of vehicles arriving within a short period of time can create <br /> a backlog of vehicles. 2 officers will manage the flow of traffic at the park entrance off of <br /> Country Club Rd. This number is a minimum traffic staffing requirement. No provision is being <br /> made to accommodate surrounding intersections leading into the event. Without having a <br /> previous history for this event it is difficult to project the peak traffic time for staffing traffic <br /> positions. The event organizers do not anticipate a early flurry of traffic into the event and have <br /> requested traffic coverage from 10:30AM until approximately 5:30PM.. No provision for after <br /> event traffic control is planned unless requested by the organizers or a significant traffic <br /> snarl ensues. ** <br />